How to Make a Paper Pinwheel

Simple Paper Pinwheel

Making paper pinwheels is an extremely versatile craft! It is easy enough that children can make it with little supervision and lovely enough to add some whimsy to any event you are planning to DIY some decor for. This craft can be made with recycled paper, or pre-selected craft paper if you are working with a particular color palette for an event.

If you have children, paper pinwheels are a great way for budding scientists to test and explore the power of breath and air! The stronger your breath, the faster they will spin. As a parent/educator, allow these pinwheels to provide STEM support while you talk to kids about wind turbines, windmills, and renewable energy.​​

If you do not have children, making these pinwheels is an excellent DIY project for decorating baby showers, adding a fun touch to a brunch buffet, and could even be a lovely addition to a wedding.

Draw Lines

Using a ruler, mark the center of your square paper with a pencil. If you do not have a ruler, you can eyeball the center pretty easily. Next use your ruler to draw a diagonal line from each corner of the paper, halfway to the center dot you just made.

Note: If you are using printed paper, where one side is white and the other has a pattern, make sure you draw the lines on the white side of the paper.

Attach to Straw

Hold the pushpin with gathered points in one hand tightly and use your other hand to push the remainder of the pin through a straw. We used paper craft straws for these pinwheels but you could also attach your pinwheel to a plastic straw or a pencil. Once your pushpin is through the straw, use a little bit of masking tape to make sure no little fingers get stuck by the pin.